RWE and the Ustka Port Authority have signed a land lease agreement for the construction of an operations and maintenance base to support the planned FEW Baltic 2 offshore wind farm. The facility is set to serve as a key component in the development and subsequent operation of the project, which aims for at least 30 years of service life, according to RWE.
The operations base, to be constructed at the Western Quay of Ustka's port, will support the 350 MW offshore wind farm, located about 50 kilometers from the Polish coast in the Baltic Sea. The FEW Baltic 2 project covers an area of approximately 41 square kilometers, and is on schedule to begin commercial operations by the end of the decade, pending further administrative approvals.
Lukas Prietz, project director for FEW Baltic 2, highlighted the significance of securing land for the operations base, describing it as “another important step” in bringing the wind farm to fruition. He also emphasized the sustainability measures being integrated into the project, stating, “The administration and control building will meet the international sustainability certification standard BREEAM.”
The development of the Ustka base is expected to generate up to 50 jobs, providing a boost to the local community, RWE noted. The base will also play a crucial role in the day-to-day monitoring and management of the offshore wind farm once operational.
Maciej Karaś, president of the Ustka Seaport Authority, acknowledged the long-term collaboration with RWE, which began in 2018. Karaś remarked, “The signing of the agreement with RWE is an important milestone in our long-standing cooperation,” adding that the port's strategy for involvement in Poland's offshore wind sector is proving successful.
The decision to locate the base in Ustka was driven by the port's existing infrastructure, which includes facilities for crew transfer vessel maintenance and refueling, as well as its proximity to the wind farm site.
The FEW Baltic 2 offshore wind project represents a significant step in Poland's renewable energy expansion, with commercial operations expected to contribute to the country's transition to greener energy sources.
